The Dutch Microsoft DevDays 2006: some random notes
Today was the last of the two Microsoft DevDays 2006. Both days I had the honor of giving a talk about windows Presentation Foundation. I must say that, even though WPF is very appealing on its own, competing with abstract stuff like Windows Communication Foundation, Window Workflow Foundation, .NET 2.0, Web Services, etc. makes it even easier to win the audiences enthusiasm. I enjoyed every single bit (even the demo bugs) of it.
The keynote on day one was very exiting to me. I didn’t have any part in it but something very strange happened there and I wonder if anybody else noticed the same thing I did. Here’s the story:
For as long as I can remember all big Microsoft events start with a very slick, clean cut and funny introduction movie. Over the years I have seen stuff like Bill Gates dancing and Microsoft Developer sharing our pain (last PDC) but Tuesday when the light dimmed and I fixed my eyes on the screen I was in for something waaaaaay cooler.
Eight man clad in long leather coats and sunglasses walked upon stage carrying a brass instrument. A (tape) orchestra started to play and soon the eight joined. This is what they played. (Click here if you do not recognize it)
I haven’t got a clue whether anybody in the audience was thinking the same thing I was: Microsoft is often called “The Evil Empire”, is this playing of the theme song part of the embrace and extend strategy? Was Microsoft aware of something similar that happened last year at LinuxWorld [1]?
No one ever referred or explained the ensemble in the keynote… I had a great time!